Ronald J. Friedman
Shareholder
friedmanr@lanepowell.com
206.223.7032
Areas of Practice
Ron Friedman is a member of Lane Powell’s White Collar Criminal Defense, Regulatory Compliance
and Special Investigations Practice Group. Ron came to Lane Powell after a distinguished career with
the United States Justice Department. Ron served as a federal criminal prosecutor in Seattle for 22
years. Before that, Ron practiced white collar criminal defense in Washington, D.C.
Ron focuses on complex litigation with an emphasis on financial crimes, environmental crimes, violations
of the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act, Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and criminal and regulatory
investigations involving banks, businesses, corporate executives, pharmaceutical distributors and health
care entities. Ron represents individuals and companies in a variety of contexts, including clients who
are the target or subject of criminal and regulatory investigations, clients wishing to implement adequate
compliance and due diligence protocols, clients who are witnesses in grand jury proceedings, and
clients accused of criminal wrong-doing at all stages of proceedings, including indictment, trial, and on
appeal. Ron’s focus includes business loss prevention, false product claim issues, securities fraud, money
laundering, embezzlement, drug diversion and regulatory practice issues. Ron has extensive experience
in the areas of government procurement fraud, health care fraud, and cases involving the pharmaceutical
and medical industries, including retail drug chains, product manufacturers and distributors, and foreign
companies seeking to do business and comply with the laws of the U.S. Ron represents such individuals
and entities in criminal, regulatory and licensing proceedings.
Prior to joining Lane Powell, Ron worked in every unit of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s
Office, and participated in combined investigations with the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,
resulting in civil enforcement decrees, fines and penalties. Ron conducted hundreds of investigations
resulting in indictments, jury trials and appeals. All matters brought to trial resulted in conviction, and
all matters argued before the United States Court of Appeals were affirmed. In addition, Ron served
as supervisor of federal grand juries in Seattle for six years, where he oversaw numerous grand jury
investigations, examined witnesses and litigated matters involving compliance with grand jury subpoenas.
Ron is responsible for developing multiple highly successful and nationally recognized federal law
enforcement programs, including Operation Stolen Valor, which resulted in the conviction of numerous
individuals for claiming false military honors and committing armed services fraud, and Operation
Midnight Express, which resulted in the conviction of numerous health care providers and civil fines
against pharmaceutical distributors for committing regulatory violations and unlawfully importing and
diverting pharmaceuticals.
Ron has substantial experience in investigations involving the United States. import and export laws,
bank secrecy and currency reporting laws, FDA laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Ron has
received numerous local and national awards, including the Director’s Award from the United States
Attorney General for excellence in a case involving foreign corporations conducting unauthorized
business in the United States in violation of U.S. law.
Professional Experience
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Office, Seattle, Wash. (1987-2009)
Law Clerk, U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman, Eastern District of Louisiana (1985-1987)
Associate, Schwalb, Bray and Silbert, Washington, D.C. (1983-1985)
Admitted to Practice
Washington
District of Columbia
Academics
Harvard Law School (J.D.)
Massachusetts Public Defenders (1983)
Harvard Defenders (1980-1982)
University of Virginia (B.A., with highest distinction)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Antitrust and Trade Regulation
Canada Practice
Financial Institutions
Health Care
Litigation
Long Term Care and Seniors Housing
Mortgage and Consumer Finance
Securities Litigation
White Collar Criminal Defense, Regulatory Compliance and Special Investigations 2
Representative Matters and Clients
Represented President of Hospital Services Corporation in federal criminal case involving allegations
of securities fraud and market manipulation
Represented President of Environmental Inspection Company in federal criminal case involving
allegations of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and violations of the Clean Air Act
Represented Retail Drug Store Chain and Pharmacists in DEA regulatory investigation involving
allegations of unlawful distribution of pharmaceuticals and records violations
Represented National Food Manufacturer in FDA action seeking a recall; recall was averted
Represented Chain of Health Care Clinics and Corporate Officer in FDA investigation involving
allegations of unlawful importation of a misbranded drug, sale of an unapproved new drug, and
false statements
Represented National Medical Product Wholesaler in FDA investigation involving allegations of
drug misbranding and improper sale of merchandise. Recall averted; product deemed compliant
Represented Corporate Comptroller in whistleblower investigation involving allegations of
accounting fraud
Represented Public School Fiscal Officer in investigation involving allegations of theft and public
corruption
Represented Construction Company in State investigation alleging criminal non-compliance with
construction permits
Represented Financial Investment Advisor in federal criminal case involving allegations of bank
fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and unlawful conversion
Represented Chief Executive Officer of Oil Drilling Company conducting business overseas in
criminal case involving allegations of wire fraud and tax evasion
Represented Seafood Processing Company in State investigation alleging criminal violations of
fisheries law
Represented Media Representative in FBI investigation involving allegations of unauthorized
disclosure of classified information
Represented Medical Trauma Training Center in DEA regulatory investigation
Represented Health Care Entities and Employees in DEA and DOH regulatory investigations
Publications
“Understanding the New Washington State Pain Medication and Opioid Rules,” Washington State
Pharmacy Association Website (June 2011)
“A Knock at the Door: Responding to Government Investigations,” Physicians Risk Management
Update (January 2011)
“Increased Scrutiny of Medical Providers: A Cause for Reflection and Diligence,” American
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Academy of Pain Management’s quarterly magazine, The Pain Practitioner (Summer 2010)
“When is a Kickback a Kickback? — Navigating the Perilous Road of Marketing Incentives in the
Pharmaceutical Industry,” Contract Pharma Magazine (May 2010)
“Swallowing the Wrong Pill — Criminal Drug Diversion by Medical Professionals, A Prosecutor’s
Perspective,” Pain Medicine News Magazine (May 2009)
“Don’t Take the Money and Run — Be Careful When a Client Pays in Cash,” National Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers Magazine (July 2007)
Speaking Engagements
“DEA Decisions: Making Sense of Dissonant Decisions When Representing Pharmacists,” American
Society of Pharmacy Law Annual Conference (November 18, 2011)
“Increased Law Enforcement Scrutiny of DEA Pharmaceutical Registrants: Caught in the
Crosshairs,” Continuing Medical Education Presentation to Marion General Hospital and Grant
County Medical Society (October 20, 2011)
“Responding to and Cooperating With Government Inquiries: Putting Your Best Foot Forward,”
Lane Powell’s 29th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Seattle (September 20, 2011)
“Controlled Substances in Long Term Care Facilities: Where We Were, Where We Are and Where
We’re Headed,” American Health Lawyers Association Webinar (August 10, 2011)
“Regulatory Enforcement Actions At Pharmacies — Principles and Pressure Points,” Washington
State Pharmacy Association Annual Meeting (June 3, 2011)
“From the White Collar Suites to the Meanest of Streets: Finding More Effective Negotiating
Strategies With the Government,” Federal Criminal Defense Bar Discussion (May 18, 2011)
“Health Care Compliance: Preparing for Regulatory Investigations,” Washington Academy of Pain
Management (April 27, 2011)
“Pharmacy and Compliance in the Long Term Care Setting,” Health Care Compliance Association’s
15th Annual Compliance Institute (April 12, 2011)
“Politics, Ethics and Risks of Pain Prescribing,” Everett Clinic Ethics Committee (March 25, 2011)
“Avoiding and Responding to Government Investigations of Medical Providers Who Prescribe
Controlled Substances,” Washington State Society of Healthcare Attorneys’ Winter Quarterly
Presentation (March 1, 2011)
“Defending a Financial Fraud Case and Getting a Good Result,” Northwest Fraud Investigators
Association Conference (November 5, 2010)
“Emerging Challenges to Medical Professionals 2010,” Civil Division of the King County
Prosecutors Office (June 15, 2010)
“Defending Financial Fraud Cases,” Northwest Fraud Investigators Association Conference
(April 16, 2010)
“Legal Hazards to Physicians Posed by Social Networking Sites,” University of Washington Medical
School (April 15, 2010)
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“Hate Crimes and the Holocaust,” Washington Holocaust Education and Resource Center
(March 16, 2010)
“Responding to Audits and Investigations of One’s Medical Practice,” Washington Society of
Addiction Medicine Conference (March 4, 2010)
Awards and Honors
Named as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, White Collar Criminal Defense, 2011-2012
Professional and Community Activities
Board of Directors, The Valley School, a Nonprofit Primary School in Seattle, Wash. (2011)
Board of Directors, Washington State Holocaust Education and Resource Center, a nonprofit
educational organization dedicated to promoting ideals of tolerance, and preventing hate, bigotry
and genocide (2011)
Member, Washington State Attorney General’s Prescription Drug Advisory Group (2011)
Member, American Society of Pharmacy Law (2011)
Faculty, American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Legal Services Advocacy Training Program,
University of Washington Law School (2010)
University of Washington School of Law
Mentor, Professional Development Program (2011)
Faculty, Trial Advocacy (1994-2005)
Member, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (“WACDL”) (2010)
Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (“NACDL”) (2010)
Member, American Health Lawyers Association (“AHLA”), Fraud and Abuse Practice Group (2010)
Member, Washington State Society of Health Care Attorneys (2010)
Member, Speakers Bureau, Washington State Bar Association (2010)